CCARE at Stanford University Presents

Who did your project serve and what suffering did it address?
My Capstone Project served young adults facing sudden COVID lockdown in Taiwan. Participants reported problems sleeping and anxieties at work and at home, especially those who moved back to live with their parents during the lockdown. All participants shared that they experienced a sense of isolation, particularly those who lived alone.

How did this project address that suffering?
Our course covered topics including compassion, mindfulness, acceptance, and mindful communication based on nonviolent communication. Group discussions, mindful communication exercises, and guided meditation practices were incorporated to help students recognize common humanity and feel connected and supported.

Who was your audience and how many people participated? 
The target audience was my former students at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. A total of 22 people participated in the eight-week course, which was delivered live online via Zoom. 

What was the reported impact on or feedback from participants? On yourself? 
Pre-course and post-course surveys indicate significant improvements in the level of overall happiness, effectiveness at communicating, mindfulness, and feelings of peace/calm among participants. One participant shared: "I learned to communicate with myself and to take care of my own emotions, so I can be more compassionate with others' feelings and understand them better." 

How has the ACT Program helped you become an Ambassador of Compassion? 
I incorporated the skills, knowledge, and wisdom gained through the valuable lessons learned from ACT and life. Teaching the 8-week course exceeded my expectations in the most heart-warming and humbling way. I'm truly grateful to ACT for pushing me to dive into action and transform compassion into timely service.

What advice would you give to someone who's considering participating in the ACT Program? 
I love how ACT not only provided the opportunities for us to learn about & embody the principles of compassion, but it also created a global community of kindred spirits who are dedicated to compassion.